Horizons ‘befriends’ dairy agreement

Horizons Regional Council today agreed to
become a ‘friend’ of the new water Accord announced by
Dairy NZ this month.

Regional councils across the country
were invited to signal their support for the new
Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord by becoming what
Dairy NZ is calling a ‘friend” of the Accord.

The new
Accord replaces the Dairying and Clean Stream Accord which
came into effect in May 2003 and had end target dates of
2012. The latest version encompasses nutrient management,
water efficiency and provisions for dairy companies and will
apply to all dairy farms regardless of who they
supply.

Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon said the new Accord
is a significant improvement on the previous
agreement.

“By including all dairy companies it levels
the playing field. It is also broader in its approach and
clearer in some of its commitments.”

Mr Gordon did not
believe the Accord would detract from the regional
council’s own policy provisions.

“Supporting the
Accord gives Horizons the opportunity to work
collaboratively with the dairy industry and other
stakeholders which is entirely consistent with our approach
to implementing the provisions of the One Plan.

“There
has also been a clear signal from the Land and Water Forum
for more collaborative approaches and befriending the Accord
demonstrates our willingness to work in this
way.”

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